B’nai B’rith Seeks Implementation of Explosives Control Act

The Florida Federation of B’nai B’rith Lodges, composed of 19 lodges in the state, called on the State Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal to issue effective regulations to implement the 1953 Explosives Control Act adopted by the Florida Legislature.

The federation pointed out that “B’nai B’rith was and is most interested in the unfortunate wave of bombings and dynamitings which occurred in various parts of our state in 1951, including extensive dynamiting of synagogues in the Greater Miami area. At the time of these incidents our organization cooperated with the law enforcement officers as much as possible in attempting to apprehend the guilty parties, but we were dismayed to learn and realize that, through no fault of their’s, the law enforcement officers were hampered in solving these crimes because of the lack of proper control of the sale and use of dynamite and explosives.”

The letter added that proper enforcement of control “will prove a valuable deterrent against the commission of any similar crimes in the future and will invaluably aid and assist law enforcement officers in apprehending any culprits who may attempt such acts again.”